The first missionary journey undertaken by the fledgling church had been a glorious success. At great personal cost, Paul and Barnabas heralded the good news to the Gentiles, and God saved many. The apostles had reported and reconnected with their sending church, ministering at Antioch again.
But Paul’s pastoral heart will never be settled in one location. His care for the churches in many cities stirs him to venture out again. The first time, the Holy Spirit had spoken to the church leaders to commission Paul and Barnabas. This time, Paul says, “Hey Barnabas, let’s go!” Both are equally valid means of initiating a missionary endeavor.
Barnabas determines to take John Mark, but Paul flatly denies the decision. This conflict between Paul and Barnabas may have seemed a missional hindrance, but it did result in two teams taking the gospel in two different directions. The narrative stays with Paul and Silas, commended to God’s grace again by the church, for their mission.
Off to a great start, they pick up Timothy in Lystra and make the rounds to deliver messages and encourage the churches. Paul’s evangelist heart is not content to return, however, before preaching Jesus to people who never heard His name. The team turns east, “to preach the word in Asia.”
But no. The way is shut. The Holy Spirit forbids them.
What? Isn’t God all about “Go”? What’s with the “No”?
They wanted to preach the gospel in a region that was steeped in idolatry, ignorant of the true God and the good news of Jesus. Buddhism, Hinduism, animism, shamanism – we know the spiritual darkness of Asia. Why did the Holy Spirit forbid Paul and his team from taking the light there?
The team turns to Mysia, and then tries to go preach in Bithynia, “but the Spirit suffered them not.”
What? Again? Doesn’t God want the gospel preached everywhere? Why does He keep saying “No” when the team moves toward the unreached?
They reach Troas and connect with Luke, seeking another place to preach. And in the night, Paul sees a vision. A man from Macedonia asks for help. The team’s enthusiasm has not waned from repeated “No.” They are ecstatic to be so called by the Lord and immediately journey west.
Why did God wait to give Paul the vision? He could have skipped the false starts by issuing the call back in Galatia. Why didn’t He immediately send His missionaries where He wanted them to go?
We could say, “Perhaps it was timing. God wanted them to reach Philippi on a certain day, so He delayed their arrival.” Okay. But they did hang out in Philippi for “certain days” before meeting Lydia at the river. The narrative doesn’t indicate that anything significant happened until then.
“Perhaps God was building their anticipation for the work He’d do.” Maybe.
“Perhaps God was testing their resolve for the ministry.” Could be.
“Perhaps God wanted to teach them to trust Him and walk in close communion with Him.” Also a possibility.
We might think of many answers. But ultimately? It’s all speculation. We can’t be certain why God said “No,” because He doesn’t say why.
So what’s the point of these reflections?
I think most people who have taken strides toward the unreached have been baffled by a missionary “No.” You tried something. You went somewhere. You prayed, you burned with desire to preach the gospel.
And God said, “No.”
And you say, “Ummmmm…is that a ‘No, not here?’ Or a ‘No, not yet?’ Am I missing something?”
Since God is all-powerful, and He wants His name praised in all the earth, why is so much of missions uphill both ways? Why does it seem so hard sometimes to just get to the place so we can preach the gospel there? (Sometimes I feel like Riley in the movie National Treasure, wishing for a clue that simply read, “This is where the treasure is. Go there, find it, and spend it wisely.”)
But I see this morning in Acts 16 that our missional wanderings are not a recent phenomenon. Paul wasn’t dependent on governments to grant visas. He wasn’t denied paperwork, or redirected by health issues, civil war, political unrest, or a pandemic. If God sovereignly spoke “NO” through the Holy Spirit but ultimately spoke “YES” through a midnight vision then, He can certainly direct with “yes” and “no” through the circumstances of our world now.
What do we do with that? I think we do the same thing Paul and his team did. Keep preaching the gospel, wherever we are. Keep talking with the Lord, rejoicing and resting in Him. Keep trusting that God is accomplishing His will in us and in His world. And keep trying to reach the unreached.
(How have you seen God work in your life through a missionary “no”? I’d be encouraged to hear whatever you’d like to share in comments below.)